UFC co-COO Lawrence Epstein said the promotion has worked with Boys Town almost since parent company Zuffa took control of the company in 2001. He declined to put a number on the money contributed to the charitable organization, but said Zuffa has donated 10s of millions of dollars to good causes over the years.

“It’s important to write checks, but it’s also great to give kids an experience that they’re going to remember forever,” he said. “I was really proud of our guys. There’s so much controversy right now about the moral fabric of athletes, and our guys are awesome. Everybody makes mistakes, but we’re proud of our fighters, and frankly, they’re our best representatives.”

On why contributing to organizations like Boys Town is an important part of Zuffa’s business, Epstein, said, “This is what real institutions do. They give back.”

International Fight Week currently is underway with a UFC Fan Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. It culminates with Saturday’s UFC 162, which takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena and features a middleweight title tilt between champ Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman.